Matthew 14:13-21 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 14:13-21 on biblegateway.com
Verse 13Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. Verse 14When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. Verse 15When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves." Verse 16Jesus said to them, "They need not go away; you give them something to eat." Verse 17They replied, "We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish." Verse 18And he said, "Bring them here to me." Verse 19Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. Verse 20And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. Verse 21And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
Devotion
Death sets the tone at the beginning of what is otherwise a fairly celebratory moment in scripture. When we join Jesus here he has just been told of the murder of John the Baptist. Death is on his mind, maybe even his own impending death, and the first thing we get after this tone of death and grief is bread. Here Jesus gives bread, whereas soon he will give his body. The bread of this day feeds the body and leaves these followers full and satisfied. The bread of Jesus’ broken body, given for the forgiveness of sins, leaves followers even today full of God’s forgiveness and satisfied of their salvation through Jesus Christ. His provisions in the time after John’s death and before his own are a foretaste of the feast to come and the feast that will have no end. We are thankful for his good gifts.
Prayer
Lord, you prepare a place for us at the heavenly banquet table. In our days on earth, nourish us with your body and blood, that we would know your forgiveness and have the sure hope of eternal life to come. Amen.